UK Police, protesters clash near the site of attack that killed 3 girls

in UK, violent clashes broke out on Tuesday in the northern England town where a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event claimed the lives of three children.Around 100 protesters battled police and lit fires, with thick plumes of smoke rising above the front line, according to an AFP reporter at the scene. The violence erupted shortly after a peaceful vigil was attended by hundreds in the centre of Southport to mourn the victims of the stabbings.Officers in riot gear policed the area amid chants of “No surrender!” and “English till I die!” Firecrackers exploded, sirens wailed and helicopter hovered overhead amid the chaos.Some officers appeared to have minor injuries.
Merseyside Police said an officer suffered a suspected broken nose in the clashes, and that the protesters were "believed to be supporters" of the right-wing English Defence League.US pop star Swift said she was "completely in shock" over "the loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone"."These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families," she added on Instagram.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier visited the town, saying the tragedy "touches a nerve" with the whole country.He was among a stream of people to pay tribute at the site of the attack that left five children and two adults with critical wounds. Three other children were hurt. Laying flowers with hundreds of other wreaths, Starmer thanked emergency workers who responded to the stabbing spree. However, he was heckled by a handful of by-standers as he laid flowers, with one man shouting: "How many more people will die on our streets, prime minister?"